Limiting Food Miles

About This Video: As consumers take increased responsibility for what they eat, many choose to become “locavores”, favoring foods grown or produced in their communities. By voting “local” with their pocketbooks when they go to the supermarket, these consumers keep money in local economies while supporting and strengthening local food systems. They also decrease their “food miles” and with it their carbon footprint—of critical importance in confronting the challenge of climate change.

Still, even the most responsible consumers can’t find everything locally. Coffee, spices, and most fish often come from halfway around the world. In these cases, consumers can embrace the principle of a “connected market”. By applying the same rationale used when buying local products to those that come from great distances, consumers can ensure their purchases support the growth and production of responsible and sustainable food systems.